Die quenching apparatus



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Filed April 9, 1947 T. J. DOYLE 5%??? DIE QUENCHING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. mwwmmaf BY DIE QUENCHING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1947 3 Sheets-$heet 2 I 1 I I iafi INVENTOR. Eawflad flay/E 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 9, 194? INVENTOR.

ATTOR/L/EV Patented Dec. 15, 1953 ma QUENCHING APPARATUS Thomas J. Doyle, Milton,

Tubular Rivet and Stud Mass., assignor to Company, Quincy,

Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 9, 1947, Serial N 0. 740,421

9 Claims. (Cl. 134-58) This invention relates to quenching apparatus for quenching a heated metal article in the process of being hardened.

The invention has for an object to provide novel and improved quenching apparatus capable of performing the quenching operation in a superior and economical manner and in which provision is made for controlling the quenching operation to the end that successive articles may be quenched under uniform conditions whereby to assure uniform hardening of successive articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved apparatus of the character specified having novel provision for supporting an article to be quenched in a manner such as to efiect self-alignment and firm engagement of the supporting elements with the article whereby to enable the quenching operation to be confined to the portions of the article to be hardened.

With these general objects in view, and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the quenching apparatus and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in cross section of quenching apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the mechanism for supporting the article during the quenching operation; Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of thearticle engaging elements as viewed from theline 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a cooperating article supporting member as viewed from the line 5-5 of 3; and Fig. 6 is an electrical diagram of control mechanism to be hereinafter described.

In general, the present invention contemplates novel and improved apparatus for quenching a heated metal article such as a steel tool, die, or the like to harden silicated portions thereof, the illustrated embodiment of the invention being particularly adapted for performing the quenching operation on a heated die member comprising a metal block having an opening or die aperture therein to harden wall portions of the aperture and the end portions of the die adjacent the aperture, the completed die member being adapted for use as a hollow rivet forming die.

In practice, the article or work to be hardened, hereinafter called the die member, is first heatedto the required temperature in a separate furnace 1 and then placed and firmly clamped between die supporting nozzles having openings therein communicating with the opening in the die. Thereafter the quenching medium, preferably water under a predetermined and controlled pressure, is caused to flow through the supporting nozzles and the die aperture to perform the quenching operation and to effect hardening of the selected portions of the die as above described.

The invention contemplates die quenching apparatus capable of automatically performingthe quenching operation under uniform conditions as to time, thus assuring uniform hardening of successive dies. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for relatively moving the die engaging nozzles into firm clamping engagement with the die members and the apparatus may and preferably will include control mechanism for automatically initiating the flow of water through the die member after the latter has been firmly clamped and for discontinuing the flow of water therethrough after a predetermined and adjustably variable length of time whereupon the nozzle members may be moved to release the die from clamping engagement therewith. The nozzle members for supporting and clamping the die therebetween are shaped to confine the quenching medium to the areas to be hardened, and, in practice, the nozzle members are disposed in parallel face to face alignment with the engaging surfaces of the die member in order to provide a, tight metal to metal seal whereby to prevent leakage of the quenching medium to other areas of the die member. In order to assure such alignment and to overcome any slight irregularities of the engaging surfaces, the nozzle members may and preferably will be provided with resilient base members capable of yielding upon clamping engagement of the nozzle with the die to enable the nozzle members to tilt slightly and conform themselves to the plane of the surfaces of the die member to be quenched;

Referring now to the drawings, the illustrated quenching apparatus is particularly adapted for performing the quenching operation on a heated die member In having a substantially central opening 1 2 extending therethrough, the die member being herein shown as faces. In general, the die member It) is arranged to be clamped between metallic nozzle members l4, I6 engageable with the flat end surfaces of the.

ing in the die member l0 to permit passage of the cylindrical in form and having fiat and substantially parallel end surquenching medium therethrough. In operation, the die member is supported on top of the lower nozzle member 14 which is preferably mounted to be vertically adjusted with respect to the upper nozzle member l6, and, the latter may and preferably will be mounted to be vertically reciprocated into and out of cooperating engagement with the upper surface of the die member supported on the relatively stationary lower nozzle member l4.

As herein illustrated, the lower nozzle member I4 is mounted in a holder l8 having a reduced diameter portion l9 fitted into and detachably secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft mounted for vertical adjustment in suitable bearings in a bracket 22 secur frame. The adjusting mechanism may-comprise p the plunger shaft 181s further provided with a a rack 24 secured to the vertical shaft 28 and arranged to cooperate with a gear 26 fast on a horizontal shaft 28. The shaft 28 is also provided with a worm wheel 30 arranged to cooperate with a worm gear 32 fast on a shaft 3'4which latter extends outside the bracket 22 and is provided with a hand wheel 35 by which 'the mechanism is operated to effect elevation or descent of the shaft 20 and the nozzle member 14 carried thereby for the purpose of adjustment to accommodate die members of different heights. The holder 18 may be detachably secured to the upper end of the vertical shaft 20 byset screws 38 and the shaft isprevented -from-rotating in the bracket 22 by the provision of a pin 40 carried by and extending from the lower end of the-shaft 20 and engageable with a vertical slotted portion 42in the bearingbracket, as illustrated.

The nozzle member [4 is fitted into a bore formed in the upper end of the holder l8 and is provided with a resilient basemember 44 in the form of an annular collar seated in the bottom of the bored opening. The resilient base member 44 may and preferably will comprise a synthetic rubber having high heat resisting and long wearing characteristics, although other resilient materials havingsimilar characteristics may-be employed for this purpose. The nozzle member l4 is-held in the holder 18 by a retaining member 46 in the form of a cylindrical cap in threaded engagement with the upper end of the holder t8 and provided with a tapered opening'arranged to fit over a correspondingly tapered peripheral portion of the nozzle member, as shown. In order to provide lateral support for the die member and to align it with the nozzle members l4, l6. a centering guide 48'may be provided which is arranged to fit snugly about the retainingmember 46=and is provided with an internal shouldered portion arranged to rest on the upper edge of 'the retaining member. The centering'guide 48 may and preferably will be provided with a plurality of radial slots 50 through which surplus water may escape-into a drain pan 52 upon completion of the'quenching operation and removal of the die member. As herein shown, the drain'pan 52 is secured to the holder 18 and may be connected'by'a flexible tube! to a drainpipe '56.

The 'upper nozzle member similar but inverted holder to and is also provided with a resilient base member 62 which may be'of the composition of the member -44, the nozzle'membe'r being held in the holder by a threaded retaining member 64 having a tapered opening engageable with the conical or tapered outer surface of the nozzle member IS. The holder '60 is provided with a reduced-diameter portion=68 detachably secured by set screws 10 to a hollowshaft 12 arranged to be vertically re-.

l'6- is carried by a 1.3

- supported smart tended portions of the pin slot 84 formed in o'pp'osed sides of the hollow an'd pressur'e indicating gauge I 04,

ciprocated in a bearing member 14 through con nections from a pneumatic cylinder 16 including a plunger shaft 18 connected to and forming an extension of the piston 88 of the pneumatic cylinder. The illustrated connection between the plunger shaft 18 and the hollow shaft 12 is designed to permit continued descent of the lunger snartrora short distance after the nozzle member It has engaged the upper surface of the die member ID, and, as herein shown, the plunger 18 is provided with a pin 82 passing through and extending from both sides thereof, the exbeing engageable in a shaft 1216f limitiiig the movement of the plunger "ielative to memories shaft. As herein shown,

compression spring 85 coiled thereabout and between a collar 86 on the plunger shaft and a shouldered portion 88 formed in the hollow shaft 12. Y

With this "construction it will be observed that the spring 85 is arranged to urge the hollow shaft 12 to an outwardly extended position relative to the "plunger "shaft 18, being limited in its extended movement by the engagement of the pin 82 with the upper ends of the slot 84, and that upon'operation of the air cylinder 16 to effect downward movement of the reciprocal unit, the

upper nozzle 'member 16 is yieldingly engaged with the upper surface of the die member I. It will be further-observed that the plunger shaft 18 'is'capableof continued downward movement to compress the spring 85 and to effect tight clamping of the die member'lfl between the nozzle members l 4,16.

In order toas'sure'parallel alignment and substantially equalized pressure upon the engaging surfaces, the resilient base members or collars 4'4, 62 of the nozzle members l4, l6 respectively are adapted toiyieldslightly upon initial engagement of the reciprocatory clamping unit with the die -m'e'mber 'Hl whereby'to .permit the nozzle members to conform themselves to the plane of the "end'surfa-ces of the die member thus affording a tight metal to metal seal and preventing leakageof the'rquenching fluid between the nozzles and the :die "during the quenching operation.

"As herein illustrated, the pneumatic cylinder I6 'is arranged *to be controlled by a solenoid operated multiple valve unit of known construction,indicated-generallyat 90. The latter is arranged to communicate with the lower end of the cylinder bya pipe line -92 to effect the pneumatic movement of the vpiston'in one direction, and,

through -'a 'second pipe line 94 communicating withthe upper end of :the cylinder, is arranged to effect "similar movement of the piston in the opposite'directidn. The valve unit may "be connectedtoanyusual or preferred source of compressed 'air from'armain'pipe 95 through a pipe lifieQFwhichmay be provided with conventional apparatus for controlling 'the air including an"ai'r-'filter 98, "oiler I 0ll,-pres'sure regulator I 02 as illustrated in-Figd. V. A

ln accordancewith one feature of the present invention provlsion is made for automatically controlling the multiplewalve unit to e'ifectelevation 0f the reciprocal nozzle member I Gout of clampingengagement-with the work after a predetermined length oftime-suflicient to assureadequateouenc'hing of the die member for the hardening-operation. 'Such automatic control-mechanismeisfherein illustratedzas comprising =an electrical circuit including a solenoid I06 for operating the valve unit, 96 and whichis arranged to be closed by a push button switch I08 for initiat ing operation of the air cylinder switch Iii] arranged to be closed upon initial descent of the plunger shaft I8 to maintain the circuit; and an adjustable time delay relay, indicated generally at I I2, adapted to be set to effect opening of the circuitafter a predetermined'time has elapsed, as will be hereinafter more fully described. The micro-switch I I is normally closed and is arranged to bemaintained in its open position when the reciprocatory unit is in its elevated position by a contact bar III extended from and movable with the plunger shaft I6 so that, in operation, upon initial downward movement of the plunger shaft, in response to closing the aircuit at the momentary contact switch I66, the contact bar I I I will leave the micro-switch I I6 to permit it to maintain the circuit closed through the solenoid IE6 during the quenching operation.

From the description thus far it will be observed that through the operation of the multiple valve unit 66, the piston 66 of the air cylinder I6 is actuated to effect descent of the upper nozzle member It into clamping engagement with the upper surface of the die I!) supported upon the lower cooperating nozzle member I4, and that after a predetermined time has elapsed, as controlled by the time delay relay I I2, the air cylinder is actuated to eiTect elevation of the nozzle member I6 and the release of the die clamped thereby.

As herein shown, the quenching fluid is supplied to the apparatus from a main water line I I through a pipe I22 to a solenoid operated water valve, indicated generally at I24, and having a flexible connection I26 to a pipe I28 extending from the lower holder I 6. The pipe I 28 communicates with a passageway I30 formed in the holder I8 in alignment with the opening in the lower nozzle member I4 and the opening in the resilient collar 44. The Water then passes I6; a microthrough the die member I0 to be quenched and through the upper nozzle member I6 and thence through a passageway I32 formed in the upper holder 66. The water line is continued through a pipe I64 connected to the holder 66 and through a flexible connection I36 to a drain pipe I38 connected to the main drain 56. The connecting pipe line I 22 may and preferably will be provided with pressure control means including an adjustable pressure regulator I40 and a pressure indicating gauge I42 whereby to enable the desired pressure to be adjusted and maintained.

The solenoid operated water valve I24 may be of a known type adapted to automatically start and stop the flow of water through the apparatus as controlled by the solenoid. As herein shown, the water valve may be provided with a drain pipe I44 for permitting the lower nozzle member I4 through the pipe I28, flexible connection I26, and valve I24 when the water pressure is shut oiT. 7

As best shown in Fig. 3, the nozzle members I4, I6 are designed to confine the water to those portions of the die which it is desired to quench, each nozzle member being provided with an. annular rim defining chamber extending over the area adjacent the ends of the opening. The upper nozzle member I6 is further the water to drain away from p I46, I41 respectively 2 tures I48 whereby to restrict the passage of the water therethrough for. most eflicient resultsin the hardening operation, .The, portions of: the,

valve circuit having a line die thus-hardened comprise the walls of the o'pen ing and the ends adjacent the opening, as indicated by the stipple work shown in Fig. 3.

Provision is also preferably made for automatically controlling the flow of water through the apparatus in a manner such as to initiate the flow of water after the die has been firmly clampedbetween the nozzle members, and, to discontinue the flow of water immediately prior to release ofthe die member from such clamping engagement. Such control mechanism is herein illustrated as comprising an electrical circuit including the solenoid I56 forming a part of the valve unit I24 and which is arranged to be energized by closing the circuit at a micro-switch overthrow of the plunger shaft and yielding of the spring 85. Conversely, upon elevation of the plunger shaft IS; the extension III leaves the switch I 52 upon initial upward movement thereof to effect opening of the circuit and closing of the valve to discontinue the flow of water before the nozzle I6 is removed'from clamping engagement with the die. Thus, in operation, the water is controlled to prevent the flow thereof except at the time when the nozzles I4, I6 are in clamping engagement with the die I0.

Provision is also made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for directing a stream of air toward the upper nozzle member I6 for the purpose of blowing away any droplets of water remaining on the nozzle at the completion an air line I 56 coiled in the drain pan 52 and terminating in an upturned nozzle portion I58 directed toward the nozzle, is connected to a manually operated 'push button valve, indicated at I66 and the valve I60 is connected by an air line I 62 to the main air line 85. In the operation of the apparatus, the operator may press the button valve I66 to release a stream of air against the nozzle I6 immediately prior to placing a die in the apparatus to be quenched thus assuring that the nozzle is substantially dry when it engages the heated metal die I 6 in clamping engagement.

From the description thus far it will be observed that in the operation of the apparatus, the operator first places the heated die in the centering guide 48 and then merely presses the start button I68, the apparatus being then capable of automatically following through a complete cycle of aquenching operation including clamping of the die in water tight engagement, initiating the flow of water theretlnough, discontinuing the flow of water after a predetermined time has elapsed, and then releasing the die from clamping engagement, without further attention from the operator, whereby to assure uniformity .as to timeof quenching and degree of hardness of successive dies thus treated.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 6, the electrical circuitsfor automatically controlling the apparatus as above described includes an air I64 from the main switch I66 to the push button or momentary contact switch I68 and a line I68 leading from the switch to one end of thesolenoid coil I96 of thevalve unit 96. The other end of the coil .I.6; s con ec e y a lead. 1 ihe ma l e I12. tary contact switch I energizes the solenoid I06 to effect operation of the multiple valve unit 90 to start the piston 80 and the plunger shaft I8 on their downward stroke and upon initial downward movement of the latter, the contact extension III leaves the micro-switch III} to per.- mit it to close and continue the circuit through the coil I06 through the time delay relay I12.

As herein shown, the circuit through the coil I06, micro-switch III! and time delay relay I I2 includes a lead I14 from the mainline I. to one terminal of the micro-switch III), a lead I16 from the otherterminal of the switch to the time delay relay, and a lead I18 from the time delay relay to one end of the :coil I05. the circuit being completed through the coil and through lead III] to the 'main line I12.

The water valve circuit includes the microswitch I52 and solenoid coil I50 of the water valve unit I24 which are here'n shown as connected by a lead I00rfrom the main line I12 to one terminal of the switch I52, a lead I82 from the other terminal to one end of the coil 1.5.0. The water valve circuit is continued through the coil and through a lead 1.84 to the main line I64. Thus, "in the operation of the apparatus, closing of the contacts of .the micro-switch I52 by the extension II I ;at the end-of the descending stroke of the plunger shaft I8, after the .die member I0 has been firmly @clamped. energizes the solenoid coil ISO to operate *the valve and start the flow of the water through the apparatus to quench the die. After agpredetermined length of time has elapsed, as controlled by the adjustable time delay delay ;:I I2, {the air valve circuit is opened to eflect elevationottheplun er shaft I8, and, during the initial portion of the elevating movement, before the -.die released. the water valve circ it is opened at the micro switch I52 to effect closing of {the water valve and discontinuance of the .flow of the water through the die. Thereafter, as the plunger shaft I8 approaches the end of .its elevating stroke, the contact extension III engages the normally closed-microeswitch ;I I0 Zoo-effect opening of the air valve circuit to close ,theair valve and to reset the time delay :relay .for a subsequent cycle of operation.

From the abovedescript-ionit willbepbserved that the present quenching apparatus is provided with control mechanism by which the quenching operation may be automatically performed to assure uniform .hardening iQf successive parts placed thereinindependently of operator control. It will "be further observed that the present apparatus is capable .of clampin the part to be quenched in a mannerasuchas to effect self alignment of the clamping members-with the engaging surfaces of'the part or work whereby to provide firm and-water tight engagement with the work thus confining .the quenching operation to-the portions .of the work-desired ;to be hardened.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated :and described, it will be understood that :theinvention .ma-yibe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles mounted-tobe relatively moved into clamping engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an'aperture-therethrough The closing of the contacts at the momen;

dium

and in communication with the die aperture, means for effecting a flow of the quenching me-. dium through the nozzles and the die, said nozzles being formed to confine the quenching medium within the outer edges of said opposed die surfaces, and automatically operated and selectively adjustable control means for controlling the flow of the quenching medium having provision for automatically initiating the flow immediately upon water-tight clamping engagement of the nozzles with the die and for thereafter automatically discontinuing the flow after a predetermined time has elapsed and immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles with the die whereby to prevent application of the quenching medium to other than the selected portions of the die.

2. In die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles mounted to be relatively moved into and out of substantially watertight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture therethrough and in communication with the die aperture, said nozzles being formed to confine the quenching medium within the outer edges of said opposed die surfaces, a water line connected to said nozzles, a valve in said water line, and automatically opera-ted and selectively adjustable control means actuated hy'the movement of the nozzles into and out of engagement with the die for operating said valve to automatically initiate the flow of water through the nozzles and the die immedi ately after the nozzles are in water-tight engagement with the die and "to thereafter automatically discontinue the flow after a predetermined time'has elapsed and immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles with the die whereby to prevent application of the quenching medium to other than the selected portions of the die.

3. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, means for reciprocating the-nozzles into and out of substantially water'- tight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture extending therethough and in communication with the die aperture, said nozzles being formed to confine the quenching medium within the outer edges of said opposed die surfaces means for effecting a flow of water through the die aperture to perform the quenching operation, and automatically operated and selectively adjustable control meansfor controlling-said reciprocating meansto cause the nozzles to remain in operative engagement with the die for a predetermined length of time independently of the operatonand'for thereafter enabling the reciprocating means to automatically move the nozzles out of operative engagement with the die, and means actuated by the reciprocal movement of the nozzles into and out of quenching engagement with the die for initiating the flow of water through the die immediately upon firm engagement of the nozzle with the die, and for discontinuing the flow of water through the die immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles from the die'whereby toprevent application of :the water to other than the selected areas of the die.

4. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, means for reciprocating the nozzles into and out of substantially watertight-engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having-an aperture extending therethrough and incommunication with the die aperture, said nozzles'being formed =to confine-the quenching mewithinthe-outeredges of said opposed die surfaces, means for effecting a flow of Water through the die aperture to perform the quenching operation, and automatically operated and selectively adjustable control means for controlling said reciprocating means to cause the nozzles to remain in operative engagement with the die for a predetermined length of time independently of the operator, and for thereafter enabling the reciprocating meansto automatically move the nozzles out of operative engagement with the die, means actuated by the reciprocal movement of the nozzles into and out of quenching engagement With the die for initiating the flow of water through the die immediately upon firm and wator-tight engagement of the nozzles with the die and for discontinuing the flow immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles from the die whereby to prevent application of the water to other than the selected areas of the die, and independently operated means for directing a stream of against the exterior of at least one of said nozzles after disengagement whereby to remove excess Water from the exterior surfaces thereof prior to a subsequent quenching operation.

5. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, pneumatically operated means for reciprocating the nozzles into and out of substantially water-tight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture extending therethrough and in communication with the die aperture, said nozzles being formed to confine the quenching medium Within the outer edges of said opposed die surfaces, means for effecting a flow of Water therethrough to perform the quenching operation, air valve means associated with said pneumatically operated means, and automaticaliy operated and selectively variable time control means for operating said air valve means adapted to maintain the nozzles in quenching engagement with the die for a predetermined length of time and for thereafter automatically effecting disengagement of the nozzles from the die, Wat r valve means associated with said quenching means, and means controlled by said reciprocating means for operating said Water valve to imtiate the flow of water immediately upon firm engagement of the nozzles with the die and for discontinuing the fio'w of water immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles from the die whereby to prevent application of the water to other than the selected areas of the die.

6. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, means for reciprocating the nozzles into and out of substantially watertight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture extending therethrough and in communication with the die aperture, said nozzles being formed to confine the quenching medium within the outer edges of said opposed die surfaces, means for effecting a flow of water therethrough to perform the quenching operation, automatically operated and selectively adjustable control means including a time delay relay for controlling said reciprocating means to cause the nozzles to remain in operative engagement with the die for a predetermined length of time, and for thereafter enabling the reciprocating means to automatically move the nozzles out of operative engagement independently of the operator, water valve means associated with said quenching means, and means controlled by said reciprocating means for operating said water valve to initiate the flow immediately upon firm engagement of the nozzles with the i and for discontinuing the flow immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles and the die whereby to prevent application of the water to other than the selected areas of the die.

7. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, means for reciprocating the nozzles into and out of substantially water-tight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture extending therethrough and in communication with the die aperture, said nozzles being formed to confine the quenching medium within the outer edges of said opposed die surfaces, means for effecting a flow of Water therethrough to perform the quenching operation, automatically operated and selectively adjustable control means including a time delay relay for controlling said reciprocating means to cause the nozzles to remain in operative engagement with the die for a predetermined length of time, and for thereafter enabling the reciprocating means to automatically move the nozzles out of operative engagement independently of the operator, water valve means associated with said quenching means, and means controlled by said reciprocating means for operating said water valve to initiate the flow imm diately upon firm engagement of the nozzles with the die and for discontinuing the flow immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles and the die whereby to prevent application of the water to other than the selected areas of the die, said reciprocating means having provision for effecting yielding en gagement of the nozzles with the die and having a portion capable of independent movement after engagement and before disengagement of the nozzles with the die for effecting operation of said water valve means.

8. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, pneumatically operated means for reciprocating the nozzles into and out of substantially water-tight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture extending therethrough and in communication with the die aperture, means for effecting a flow of water therethrough to perform the quenching operation, solenoid operated air valve means associated with said pneumatically operated means, control means including an adjustable time delay relay for controlling said solenoid operated air valve to cause the nozzles to remain in operative position with the die for a predetermined length of time and for thereafter enabling the reciprocating means to move the nozzles out of operative engagement, solenoid operated water valve means associated with said quenching means, and means actuated by said reciprocating means for controlling said solenoid operated Water valve to initiate the flow after firm engagement of the nozzles with the die and for discontinuing the flow immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles from the die.

9. Die quenching apparatus comprising a pair of die engaging nozzles, pneumatically operated means for reciprocating the nozzles into and out of substantially water-tight engagement with opposed surfaces of a die having an aperture extending therethrough and in communication with the die aperture, means for effecting a flow of water therethrough to perform the quenching operation, air valve means associated with said pneumatic means to effect reciprocation of the nozzles, and electrical control means comprising a circuit including a solenoid operatively connected to said air valve means, a momentary contact switch for closing the circuit to said air valve solenoid to effect movement of the nozzles into die engaging position, an adjustable time delay relay adapted tohcontinue the circuit to the air valve solenoid after the momentary contact switch is opened and for opening the circuit to the air valve solenoid after a predetermined length of time to efiect disengagement of the nozzles with the die, water valve means associated with said quenching means, a second circuit including a solenoid operatively connected to said Water valve means, and a switch in said second circuit actuated by said reciprocating means for operating said water valve to initiate the flow of water after firm engagement of the nozzles, and for discontinuing the flow immediately prior to disengagement of the nozzles from the die.

THOMAS J. DOYLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number 5 515,556 625,045 1,948,480 2,141,081 2,176,845 10 2,37 9,789

Name Date Smeallie a Feb. 27, 1894 Macardle' May 16, 1899 Schicht Feb. 26, 1934 Davenport z Dec. 20, 1938 Temple Oct. 17, 1939 Cozzoli July 3, 1945 Somes Nov. 26, 1946 

